local
How a Rowlett family ended up hosting a future World Cup star
By Casey Stegall at FOX 4 KDFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) - News
· June 20, 2026
· 1 min read
A North Texas family from Rowlett is cheering on Swedish defender Hjalmar Ekdal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, over a decade after hosting the soccer star in their home during the local Dallas Cup youth tournament.
Why this matters in The Plano
The story of a Rowlett family hosting a future World Cup star has Plano residents thinking about the city's own connections to the Dallas Cup youth tournament. As a neighboring city to Rowlett, Plano has likely hosted its share of young athletes competing in the tournament over the years. The fact that Hjalmar Ekdal, now a Swedish defender, was once a guest in a local home highlights the potential for international talent to pass through North Texas communities. Plano's own soccer fields and facilities may have played host to similar young players with big dreams, and it's possible that some of them will go on to compete on the world stage. This local connection to the World Cup adds an extra layer of excitement for soccer fans in Plano, who can take pride in knowing that their community has played a small part in nurturing the next generation of international soccer stars.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 4 KDFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) - News . The Plano surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit FOX 4 KDFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 20, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 4 KDFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A North Texas family from Rowlett is cheering on Swedish defender Hjalmar Ekdal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, over a decade after hosting the soccer star in their home during the local Dallas Cup youth tournament.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 20, 2026 by FOX 4 KDFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) - News and curated for The Plano readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Casey Stegall at FOX 4 KDFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) - News. To learn more about how The Plano selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Plano, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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